Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ledslinger · 02-04-2012, 12:46 PM

My 1961 GMC has a key lock on the door on the passenger's side. Why?

**Chevy Fleetside** · 02-04-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledslinger

My 1961 GMC has a key lock on the door on the passenger's side. Why?

Usually there is not key on the passenger side. Someone must have put a passenger side door handle on the driver side. Just switch them, or get another keyed handle.

Andyboy · 02-04-2012, 02:04 PM

My '62

also has the lock on passenger side. I think they came factory like that. There's a thread on that on here somewhere.

**jocko** · 02-04-2012, 02:41 PM

I think that was because GMC correctly recognized that the wife is the one that should go out in the morning and warm the truck up in cold weather, and that's her side to get in on, so she needed to be able to unlock it (while her hands were shivering).

Yes, I'm no longer married, not sure what happened...

maxwoof · 02-04-2012, 02:45 PM

My 62 Chevy is the same way. I used to think someone changed around the handles/doors, but then read somewhere it was an option. Maybe in the owners manual. I think that the theory was that a driver shouldn't be exiting the truck into the road when parked roadside.

losthope · 02-04-2012, 02:47 PM

heres some past posts,the first one has posts about it being prohibited to open and get out of the drivers side door on narrow streets in some states so you would slide over get out on passenger side and lock the door standing on the side walk......

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ey+lock+handle

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ey+lock+handle

**dtkarst** · 02-04-2012, 03:43 PM

My 66 C10 has a lock ont he passenger side as well. I have always wondered. My two parts trucks dont have them

porter90 · 02-05-2012, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

I think that was because GMC correctly recognized that the wife is the one that should go out in the morning and warm the truck up in cold weather, and that's her side to get in on, so she needed to be able to unlock it (while her hands were shivering).

Yes, I'm no longer married, not sure what happened...

LMAO! ya know, i dont know either! :P

oem4me · 02-05-2012, 11:09 AM

That's a new one to me. I would've figured they were switched one for the other as well. The passenger side lock I know was optional, same as a sun visor and other things depending on trim level. But no lock for the driver door? That just seems strange.

scottofksu · 02-05-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

I think that was because GMC correctly recognized that the wife is the one that should go out in the morning and warm the truck up in cold weather, and that's her side to get in on, so she needed to be able to unlock it (while her hands were shivering).

Yes, I'm no longer married, not sure what happened...

Holy Moses, you nearly made me shoot coffee out of my nose!

Posted via Mobile Device

**Clyde65** · 02-05-2012, 01:10 PM

I dont know about our trucks, but the cars of the late 20's and early 30's had the lock on the passenger side. the passenger would slide over to unlock drivers side, I guess it was so you wouldnt be in the street too long unlocking your door.

02-04-2012, 12:46 PM	#1
Ledslinger Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 102	Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? My 1961 GMC has a key lock on the door on the passenger's side. Why?

02-04-2012, 02:04 PM	#3
Andyboy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 376	Re: Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? My '62 also has the lock on passenger side. I think they came factory like that. There's a thread on that on here somewhere.

02-04-2012, 02:41 PM	#4
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,945	Re: Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? I think that was because GMC correctly recognized that the wife is the one that should go out in the morning and warm the truck up in cold weather, and that's her side to get in on, so she needed to be able to unlock it (while her hands were shivering). Yes, I'm no longer married, not sure what happened...

02-04-2012, 02:45 PM	#5
maxwoof Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edgewater NJ Posts: 159	Re: Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? My 62 Chevy is the same way. I used to think someone changed around the handles/doors, but then read somewhere it was an option. Maybe in the owners manual. I think that the theory was that a driver shouldn't be exiting the truck into the road when parked roadside.

02-04-2012, 02:47 PM	#6
losthope Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: sacramento ca. Posts: 1,038	Re: Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? heres some past posts,the first one has posts about it being prohibited to open and get out of the drivers side door on narrow streets in some states so you would slide over get out on passenger side and lock the door standing on the side walk...... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ey+lock+handle http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ey+lock+handle __________________ Timmy D. "What that grinding noise?Don't worry about that it will eventually clearance itself!" 1966 chevy c10 Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=485977 1954 ford customline H.A.M.B 54 Build Thread:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=622142

02-04-2012, 03:43 PM	#7
dtkarst Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 2,490	Re: Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? My 66 C10 has a lock ont he passenger side as well. I have always wondered. My two parts trucks dont have them

02-05-2012, 11:09 AM	#9
oem4me Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 3,055	Re: Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? That's a new one to me. I would've figured they were switched one for the other as well. The passenger side lock I know was optional, same as a sun visor and other things depending on trim level. But no lock for the driver door? That just seems strange. Last edited by oem4me; 02-05-2012 at 11:46 AM.

02-05-2012, 01:10 PM	#11
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,541	Re: Why no key lock on driver's side door handle? I dont know about our trucks, but the cars of the late 20's and early 30's had the lock on the passenger side. the passenger would slide over to unlock drivers side, I guess it was so you wouldnt be in the street too long unlocking your door. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*



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